Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Pacquiao warned vs manipulation by politicians

Offended by Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s snub of the ruling political party and his camp’s stinging remarks about the reason for this action, senior Lakas-Kampi-CMD members, including a brother-in-law of President Arroyo, warned the new pound-for-pound boxer against being “changed by politics and used by politicians.

Reps. Ignacio Arroyo of Negros Occidental, Mitos Magsaysay of Zambales and Emil Ong of Northern Samar decried as “unfair” the press statement issued by the Pacquiao camp claiming that he had rejected the nomination sent by the party.

Minvelez Gulle, legal counsel and spokesperson of Pacquiao’s People’s Champ Movement, said the ring hero has distanced himself from the administration party because of the “many scandals bugging the present leadership.”

“Maybe his lawyer is confused since his client is also in a controversy. I know Manny is a good fellow and I hope politics does not turn him otherwise,” said Arroyo, brother of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

On the other hand, Ong explained that Lakas-Kampi has resolved the issue of Pacquiao’s congressional bid.

He said the party decided to stick to its “equity of the incumbent” policy that upheld the right of the incumbent Saranggani congressman, Rep. Erwin Chiongbian, to be the party bet.

“That’s not fair. The truth is that their (Pacquiao) political adversary is an incumbent Lakas-Kampi of good standing,” Ong said. “Manny cannot be accommodated anymore in our party.”

“He can serve better and be idolized for what he is now rather than be manipulated by politicians with hidden selfish agenda,” Ong added.

Magsaysay cautioned Pacquiao’s group against issuing further “negative comments” against the ruling party, saying that this unnecessarily places Pacquiao in a controversy he does not need.

“I hope Pacquiao will be taken cared of by his newfound friends and not be taken advantaged of because of his stature as an international icon,” the lady solon added.

In a bid to win the lone congressional seat in Saranggani, Pacquiao has decided to forge an alliance with Senator Manuel Villar’s Nacionalista Party, the third political party Pacquiao has joined since he demonstrated interest in politics.

He has joined the Atienza wing of the Liberal Party and ran under the Lakas-Kampi coalition when he joined the 2007 congressional race in South Cotabato.

Despite his popularity, Pacquiao lost to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio whose family is well-entrenched in the district.